We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lindsay Marie Morris. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lindsay Marie below.

Alright, Lindsay, thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission is to illuminate overlooked and hidden histories, bringing their resilience, traditions, and sacrifices to light through storytelling. Through my novels and lectures, I connect readers and audiences with the untold stories of ordinary families in extraordinary times, fostering a deeper appreciation for heritage, identity, and belonging.

As a Sicilian-American, I feel a personal responsibility to preserve and share the stories that shaped my family and community. In addition to writing, I coach aspiring authors and lead workshops on historical fiction, helping others bring overlooked histories to life. Storytelling allows me to bridge the past and present, ensuring that voices often left out of the broader narrative are remembered and celebrated.

Lindsay, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a novelist and journalist inspired by my Italian American roots. Even as a student, I wondered why certain histories were highlighted while others (like the stories of my grandparents, Sicilians who endured World War II) remained untold. My novels, The Last Letter from Sicily and Beneath the Sicilian Stars, unearth these overlooked stories, showing how ordinary people survived extraordinary times in ways that still resonate today.

Beyond my fiction, I guide writers and family historians in uncovering the stories within their own histories, helping them turn personal and ancestral experiences into compelling narratives. What I’m most proud of is creating work that honors my heritage, while inviting readers to see history through a new lens.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I first started writing The Last Letter from Sicily, which was inspired by my grandparents’ story, I wasn’t sure I could finish a novel. I wrote on and off for months, then set it aside. Who was I to think I could write a novel? But my husband, Matt, kept encouraging me, reminding me that the story mattered and that I could do it. He even suggested we spend a month in Sardinia, retracing my grandfather’s steps, which reignited my drive and helped me finally complete the manuscript after three years.

Publishing wasn’t easy. After dozens of rejections and being told no one was buying World War II fiction, I persisted. In spring 2024, Storm Publishing offered a two-book contract, recognizing the value of more World War II stories, particularly those illuminating the often-overlooked Sicilian experience. For me, resilience has always meant returning to the story again and again until it is told.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I used to be what you’d call a “pantser,” writing by the seat of my pants and unsure where the story was headed. That approach is one reason why The Last Letter from Sicily took me years to complete. Over time, I discovered the power of outlining and creating a story scaffold by mapping out timelines, character arcs, and key events before diving into chapters. That method helped me finish my second novel in a matter of months.

Now, as a historical fiction workshop leader and writing coach, I share these tools with other authors. Helping writers build a strong structure not only keeps the story on track, but it also gives them the confidence to bring complex historical narratives to life while honoring the people and events that inspired them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lindsaymariemorris.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaymariemorris
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627216170
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaymmorris
• Twitter: https://x.com/LindsayMMorris